Or what about the increase in Undergraduate Advisor salaries a few years ago? Not only do they receive free board, but they?re given a $1,000 per term , even if they live on senior halls where their duties entail very little. Each year, these salaries cost in the vicinity of $500,000. Students used to become UGAs for no stipend, but the current goal is to attract ?more qualified? candidates. I need not even mention the week-long UGA diversity training.

Rather than argue the merits or dismerits of his points, I'd just like to offer some factual corrections:

1. UGAs are given $1000/term, but they are not given free board (unless he counts orientation week, which is a full $75 perk, or unless I am sorely uninformed).

2. UGAs have never worked for no stipend in my 4 years here. They received an incredibly inadequate $300/term during my freshman year.

3. RAs, the meaner version of UGAs at other schools, generally get free room, often free board, and also a stipend, a package of wages and benefits that is double or triple what Dartmouth UGAs receive. Thus, any foreseeable alternative would likely be more expensive, not cheaper.

Does the UGA program have its flaws? Absolutely. But these criticisms are inaccurate and not constructive.